Highlights of Bali and Java

'Om Swastiastu' and welcome to beautiful Bali. A place that evokes an image of paradise in name alone, Bali is every beach loving, culture seeking traveler’s idea of perfection. Touching down today, you’ll transfer to your hotel in the cultural hub of Ubud. Surrounded by lush green rice paddies and a haven for yoga enthusiasts, artists and foodies alike, Ubud is something special. Settle into your hotel this afternoon, then meet up with your Travel Director and fellow travelers this evening to get a glimpse of what's to come, before getting to know each other a little better over dinner.

Today will be packed with adventure, so be sure to fuel up at breakfast. We’ll kick things off with a visit to Mas Village and a traditional wood carving workshop, before continuing on to explore the lush green terraces of Tegallalang, one of the most defining views of Bali. Up next, a visit to a coffee plantation to learn how our favorite morning beverage is made (with samples, of course), before we move on for a lunch with a difference. What’s the difference? Well, when was the last time you tucked into a traditional Balinese meal with a view of a sacred volcano mountain in the background? Still not done with the day, we’ll make our way back to Ubud for a visit to ‘Puri Saren Agung’, or Ubud Palace, the former official residence of the royal family of Ubud. Finally, we’ll finish the epic first day of your Bali value tour with a trip to Ubud Market, where there’s time to shop for locally made art and handicrafts.

Yesterday was a busy one, so today you have the chance to slow down and explore Ubud your way today. With your free time you could choose to visit the famous monkey forest, where over 700 long-tailed grey macaques roam free amongst the temple ruins. Alternatively, you could take part in one of our Choice Experiences to embrace the true spirit of Ubud. In the morning, perhaps join our cooking class to learn the secrets of traditional Balinese food, or in the afternoon get to know your inner yogi with a spiritual yoga experience, where all levels are welcome.

Beach bliss awaits us in Sanur later today, but not before an action-packed day of sightseeing. The serene 17th-century Ulun Danu temple will be our first stop, where a temple dedicated to the Goddess of the Waters is built on the small islands of Lake Bratan. From here we’ll continue on to Mengwi and the temple of Taman Ayun. Built in 1634, the temple is surrounded by a wide moat and has a series of courtyards which feature a number of Meru (multi-tiered shrines). Still not templed out, our final visit of the day will be to Bali’s most photographed temple, Tanah Lot. Perched precariously on a wave whipped rock, this 16th-century icon is still a major crowd pleaser. Feeling culturally satisfied, we’ll then end the day to the gentle sound of the waves, in laid-back Sanur.

Is there any better feeling than waking up knowing that the ocean is just a stone’s throw away? And even better – this morning is entirely free for you to do as much, or as little, as you like. Take a dip in the sea, top up your tan, or maybe maybe consider joining a Choice Experience touring Bali’s capital city, Denpasar, traveling in style in a vintage VW Kombi. This afternoon we’ll be heading to Uluwatu, a gorgeous stretch of headland that’s also home to the Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple, perched high above the sea. This evening, we’ll be treated to a traditional Balinese Kecak dance performance, before a dinner of fresh seafood is served right on Jimbaran beach. Perfection.

Today you’ll have the whole day free in Sanur to explore how you like, or you could choose to tailor your way with plenty of optional experiences. Perhaps you’d like to get your sea legs with our optional full day catamaran and snorkelling cruise to the nearby island of Nusa Lembongan, or maybe you’d like to dive into local life with our Balinese Daily Life experience. You’ll get to visit a market, trek through lush green rice fields and visit an ancient fertility temple, and it all offers a special insight into Bali’s beautiful culture. If you’re after some down time this afternoon, head to Sanur’s gorgeous beaches to claim your own little patch of golden sand. This evening, as a way of saying goodbye to your fellow travelers not continuing on to Java with us tomorrow, why not head out for an optional farewell dinner.

Another day, another Indonesian island! On touchdown after our short flight from Bali, you’ll soon appreciate that no two islands are the same. As the most populated island on earth and with more than half of Indonesia’s people, the next part of our adventure in Java provides quite the change of scene. We’ll make a quick stop to drop off our bags, then get our bearings just like the locals do on a Becak tour (Javanese rickshaw), where you’ll be left in awe, wondering how your driver can navigate the buzzing streets so effortlessly. Arriving at dinner fresh from this thrilling ride, you’re in for a treat with tables laden with local specialties before the main event, a stunning dance performance. Telling the story through movement, you’ll learn about the great Javanese mythological love story, the ‘Ramayana’. A tale of good versus evil, you’ll be nothing less than enchanted by the beautiful dancing, ornate costumes and unique musical instruments.

You’ll soon fall in love with Java’s charms. What a day it will be, with all the essential sightseeing on the cards for today, focused around the city’s beautiful temples. Photography lovers will be eager to get started at our first stop, the famous icon of Java, Borobudur temple. Renowned as the largest Buddhist sanctuary in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you'll be thrilled to tick this one off your bucket list. We'll keep our culture fix going with some more temple complexes, starting with the Mendut, home to a great statue of the Buddha, before our final stop at the solitary Pawon Temple, with its ornate roof standing on a simple square base. We’ll take a break over lunch, no doubt comparing photos with your fellow travelers from yet another incredible morning before finishing our day with our last stop, Prambanan temple. Here, you’ll get an insight into Hinduism with a bas-relief depicting the famous Ramayana story and you’ll also get a glimpse of a different style of architecture. With winding paths and gorgeous grounds, you’ll instantly understand why it's recognised as one of the world’s most beautiful Hindu shrines. At the end of the day, we’ll head back to the hotel where you can relax, go for a swim, or kick back with a cocktail after a busy yet unforgettable day.

Adventure awaits today and it’s the last full day of your Bali and Java tour package, so be sure to make the most of it! Up for grabs is a full day Batik and Wayang Kulit Optional Experience, perfect for those looking to uncover the local crafts with some of Java’s talented artisans. Batik, a form of painting, is incredibly intricate and you’ll observe it up close, before trying it out for yourself under the guidance of a talented expert. Take home your creation as a special reminder of the day. You'll gain insight into the craft known as Wayang Kulit or Leather Puppetry. This is so much more than the description and is regarded as one of the highest artforms in Javanese culture. You’ll love seeing the artisans at work in their studio, while learning about the philosophy behind their creations.  Enjoy a tasty lunch before returning to the city.  The last night of our trip deserves a celebration of everything we’ve seen and done, and we can’t think of a better way to toast it than through taste. You could go in search of your favorite Indonesian foods or join your travel companions on an optional Javanese Culinary Adventure where you'll get your last fix of a variety of tasty local dishes.

It’s hard to believe that the last 10 days are already over. Saying ‘Rahajeng memargi’ (goodbye) this morning, you’ll no doubt smile at everything you’ve seen and done, from exploring rice fields and beaches to discovering beautiful temples and you'll be coming away with special memories and new travel friends. Transferring to the airport for your onward flight, we’ll look forward to welcoming you back on your next Costsaver trip somewhere wonderful soon.